Worship Notes for Sunday, November 20, 2011
Giving thanks is an antidote to selfishness, forgetfulness, and complaining because it redirects our focus on God as the source of blessing and His specific acts of faithfulness in our lives, in creation and in redemptive history. We sing of God as the “King of creation” and praise Him for His great and wondrous works in the Introit and Call to Worship (Psalm 111). “He sent redemption to His people.” We continue by singing For the Beauty of the Earth as we “raise our hymn of grateful praise” for a litany of blessing from the Lord.As we follow-up on the series of the Story of the Bible, the New Testament Reading from Colossians 3:12-17 gives us a picture of the redemptive life—bearing with one another, forgiving, love as the binding agent of harmony, and teaching and admonishing “with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Our lack of thankfulness is exposed in the Confession Prayer from Romans 1 which reminds us that the character of God is plainly revealed “in the things that have been made” but that the fool does not honor God or give Him thanks.
As we sing This is My Father’s World we sing of God’s controlling hand in nature with a view towards the great consummation when the battle is done. The first Communion Hymn is an old text and new music that we will sing in our Particularization Service. Christ is the Cornerstone not only reminds us of our foundation, but also “present grace and joys above” as we sing “hymns of praise” as we wait “until that day” of endless rest. If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee is a song of confidence in God’s providence that He holds all things in His Fatherly hands; therefore, we can be at peace in the midst of trials and be thankful.
Our final hymn, Come, Ye Thankful People, Come, beautifully weaves the themes of gratitude for God’s provision in providing food and human needs as well as longing for the final harvest when all the saints are gathered into Sabbath rest. From looking at our present circumstances to viewing God’s hand of love and mercy to seeing the unfolding of God’s redemptive story, giving thanks moves us from ourselves to the glory of our Father’s loving and providential care.
